Apple said Monday that it has sold more than 9 million new iPhones in the first three days since their release, a new company record.

The iPhone 5C and 5S sales beat the previous record for an iPhone launch of 5 million, which the firm had set last year. Wall Street analysts forecasted between 5 million and 8 million.

Apple's stock rose more than 6 percent before the stock market opened.

Apple, led by CEO Tim Cook, expects revenue for its fourth fiscal quarter to be "near the high end of the previously provided range of $34 billion to $37 billion," the tech giant said in a regulatory filing on Monday.

"This is our best iPhone launch yet -- more than 9 million new iPhones sold -- a new record for first weekend sales," said Cook.

He added: "The demand for the new iPhones has been incredible. And while we’ve sold out of our initial supply of iPhone 5S's, stores continue to receive new iPhone shipments regularly. We appreciate everyone’s patience and are working hard to build enough new iPhones for everyone."

The sales launch marked the first time that iPhones were available in China at the same time as in the U.S.